Shepard of Tender Youth!

I am a terrible singer, but boy do I love to sing. I have a small collection of songbooks in my office and a few that I keep at home and, much to my wife’s dismay, I will often pull them out and sing some of my favorite songs. I have found that many of my favorites are fairly old, and I started wondering what the oldest recorded Christian Hymn is. A quick google search provided the answer. It was written around the year 200 and was given the title Shepard of Tender Youth. The hymn is credited to St. Clements who, according to the website, “converted from paganism to Christianity” and “wrote the song for recent converts, using youth as a metaphor for their new roles as Christians.” I want to share the 1st and 5th verses.

1 Shepherd of tender youth,
guiding in love and truth
through devious ways,
Christ, our triumphant King,
we come your name to sing
and here our children bring
to join your praise.

5 So now and till we die
sound we your praises high
and joyful sing:
infants and all the throng
who to your Church belong,
unite to swell the song
to Christ, our King!

It is so interesting that about 1800 years ago, they were singing hymns that were not all too different from what we sing today. There is no doubt that church looks different today than it did 1800 years ago, with electricity, PowerPoint, microphones, etc. but one thing has held strong, the praises we bring forth to the Lord and the understanding that the Lord guides us in love in truth. As you go about your week, keep in mind that for the past 2000 years or so, there have been people all over the world lifting praises to the Lord and following the example of Christ.

Pray for Buffs for Christ as we travel home from our retreat, and as we continue through the many events of the semester, guided by the love, truth, and example that Christ gave!